I am sure you have seen the large chairs corporate executives sit in behind their large desks, either in person or in the movies or on TV. Those large upholstered chairs are called executive chairs. They have a back that extended above the head of the occupant, are wide and have padded arms. The seat is mounted on a central pillar on a base with five leg that end in casters. The chair pivots on the central column, and can be adjusted for height from the floor, the angle of the back to the seat and the amount of weight required to tilt the chair backwards. These chairs are usually upholstered in black, using leather, vinyl or occasionally a strong woven fabric.
These chairs are the thrones of the modern office. They are comfortable, even cushy. Naps are easily taken since the back is high enough to rest the head against. Tilt the chair back, put your feet on a desk drawer, and asleep you go. Like the size of your desk, the possession of an executive office chair is a status symbol. Sometimes a company will extend the possession of an executive chair to all salaried employees, but hourly employees will have chairs without arms or high backs, the secretary’s chair. Unfair? Probably. Salaried people are expected to stay at their desks, and the arms of the executive office chair and its comfort make it a bit more difficult to get out of it. The secretary’s chair does not have arms (or as much comfort) as the occupant is expected to get up frequently to move things around the office and run errands.
For home use, the advantages of the executive chair can be used to replace a lounger in a char that does not take up as much room. You will need to provide an ottoman as a place for the feet and something to push against to lean back. With a lot less stuffing, but still comfortable, a leather executive chair may also be better engineered and made to last longer than the lounger. The executive leather office chair is usually black, instead of the enormous number of brown loungers, and in that case may have some effect on your decor. The difference in the breathing ability of the normal upholstery of a lounger may be an advantage over the executive chair, which is generally covered in a material that does not breathe.
So, do I have one in my home? Yes, I do. My husband occupies it many hours a day, working on the computer or watching TV. The upholstery has lasted pretty well except for the pads on the arms. It is not actually black, although the color is not important. It also actually has a breathing material on the seat and back, which makes it more comfortable, and shows some wear after all these years. We bought it used 25 years ago, and it would be as good as new if we got it reupholstered. Pretty good furniture.
* * * There are many kinds of chairs that may solve your seating dilemma: folding outdoor chairs, cheap folding chairs, plastic stacking chairs, rocking chairs, folding chairs, stacking chairs, beach chairs, drafting chairs, task chairs, reception chairs, or stackable chairs. * * *
* * * And now for something different: nerd glasses. * * *
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